How do you broaden the base, really?

It’s an adage as old as politics itself. A thread is weak. But twist several threads into a rope and it’s strong. But when it comes time to try to foster relationships with diverse allies, how many of us really know how to make rope?

Resource Media has worked for years with groups who have done the hard work to establish trust, build relationships, and forge ahead toward victory. They've seen groups topple giants, win ballot initiatives, and cool down hostile political environments because of strategic alliances. And we're glad they've produced this report, Building Strategic Alliances, to share those stories and share the practical, systematic steps to help organizations reach new partners and spokespeople. We highly recommend it.

Behavior change causes changes in beliefs, not vice versa.

Although this seems to be contrary to everyday logic, it is actually true. This great Grist article explains why.

We think David Roberts at Grist is on to something in this post where he examines the error the left often makes in assuming we must persuade our audience to belief in order to get real action.

Nevermind what people believe—how can we change what they do?

Anyone who has ever attempted to change human behavior has most certainly discovered that people seem irrational and unpredictable. Grist Magazine introduces us to someone who can help us understand why people do what they do as we market our organizations and issues.

If you've never heard of Robert Cialdini or his seminal book, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, this interview at Grist using the lens of energy efficiency, is a great introduction to his treasure trove of easily applicable and powerful teachings. Cialdini draws upon his experience as a social scientist exploring the ways we all behave and why there is often such a gap between what it makes sense for us to do and what we actually do.